tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post2730145898050667877..comments2019-03-21T11:38:10.481-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: RIP Steven BochcoKen Levinenoreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37825395788633603972018-04-03T20:55:30.301-07:002018-04-03T20:55:30.301-07:00Tudor Queen, Stanley Tucci&#39;s #1 all-time is hi...Tudor Queen, Stanley Tucci&#39;s #1 all-time is his appearance on Monk, playing Daniel-Day Lewis playing Monk. So well done, I was mad at the comedy of the show at the end.MikeNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-41333018422315162022018-04-03T17:21:41.157-07:002018-04-03T17:21:41.157-07:00Hill Street Blues will always be on my list of top...Hill Street Blues will always be on my list of top 10 favorite TV Shows of all time. It had some of the most memorable characters I have ever encountered. One of my favorites was Howard Hunter—always ready to go to war; so hilarious, and it wasn’t even a comedy. The actor’s name was James Sikking, I think. The cast was huge and just wonderful. <br />RIP Mr. Bochco Diane D.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-33335545444875700132018-04-03T05:32:38.116-07:002018-04-03T05:32:38.116-07:00Now we&#39;ll probably never get to see a continua...Now we&#39;ll probably never get to see a continuation of the &quot;Richie Brockelman, Private Eye&quot; series.Kosmo13noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-27783995936990948412018-04-03T01:05:24.208-07:002018-04-03T01:05:24.208-07:00Loved Hill Street Blues.
Enjoyed LA Law.
Enjoyed H...Loved Hill Street Blues.<br />Enjoyed LA Law.<br />Enjoyed Hooperman.<br />Loved the first few seasons of NYPD Blue<br />Loved Murder One.<br />Enjoyed Murder in the First.<br /><br />And before all that, in 1975, he wrote a damn fine episode of Columbo, Season 1, Ep 3: Murder by the Book, starring Jack Cassidy as a mystery writer... and directed by this new kid, Steven Spielberg.<br /><br />What a career.David Arnotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15538307269273431049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-7810119236975705022018-04-02T23:41:51.127-07:002018-04-02T23:41:51.127-07:00T.Q. Unfortunately no. Extras are always told to...T.Q. Unfortunately no. Extras are always told to not talk to the actors. However, B.B. was sitting by the holding area and interacted with us. Although, she was trying to study her lines so, she couldn&#39;t talk that much. Otherwise, no contact with any of the other stars. <br />M.B.Mike Bloodworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04755626259169126800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-63272579305785921212018-04-02T21:32:37.572-07:002018-04-02T21:32:37.572-07:00Great tribute, Ken. Sad that Bochco is gone. I was...Great tribute, Ken. Sad that Bochco is gone. I was personally still hoping he would make a comeback with some new shows. You could always count on his episodes being entertaining, thought-provoking and memorable, and today&#39;s writers such as Aaron Sorkin could learn *so much* from him, it&#39;s not even funny.<br /><br />Interesting trivia about Bochco: he helped write the 1972 sci-fi theatrical film with Bruce Dern, &quot;Silent Running,&quot; along with another then-up-and-comer named... Michael Cimino. I always wanted to ask SB if he still had any kind of relationship with Cimino, after the Deer Hunter became such a controversial hit and Heaven&#39;s Gate became the legendary all-time box office bomb it&#39;s known as being.Steve Lanzi (formerly known as qdpsteve)https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=19336675&postID=2730145898050667877&bpli=1noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53837251199862724352018-04-02T18:19:33.924-07:002018-04-02T18:19:33.924-07:00To Mike Bloodworth -
Barbara Bosson was indeed a ...To Mike Bloodworth -<br /><br />Barbara Bosson was indeed a regular on &quot;Murder One&quot; - she played senior ADA Miriam Grasso who, for most of the season, led the prosecution of Neil Avedon. She received an Emmy nomination for the season, but lost to Tyne Daly for &quot;Christy&quot;. I thought she was great in the role, showing that a DA in a defense-oriented courtroom drama could be smart, honorable and dedicated - and even friendly towards defense attorneys in a reasonable way.<br /><br />BTW, did you meet Stanley Tucci or Jason Gedrick? Inquiring minds...Tudor Queenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03544142728842449527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-38388233533317436942018-04-02T16:20:16.822-07:002018-04-02T16:20:16.822-07:00Class Report:
Pretty darned good.
Thank you, Mr Bo...Class Report:<br />Pretty darned good.<br />Thank you, Mr Bochco. Thank you for everything.Dr Loserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12717234136006844887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-67512988065469969502018-04-02T15:10:39.037-07:002018-04-02T15:10:39.037-07:00You know what?
I&#39;m going to watch the first ep...You know what?<br />I&#39;m going to watch the first episode of Hill Street Blues again right now.<br />It&#39;s late, I&#39;ve got half a pack of cigarettes, two gallons in the tank ... let&#39;s do it!&quot;<br />Too many obituaries, too much sadness. For Steven Bochco? Fire that baby up! Remember the Good Times!Dr Loserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12717234136006844887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-61654642305490022572018-04-02T15:07:02.176-07:002018-04-02T15:07:02.176-07:00Reading how Grant Tinker stuck with HSB despite po...Reading how Grant Tinker stuck with HSB despite poor ratings, similar to what Bill Paley did for THE WALTONS, you wonder how many shows that might have been classics never got the chance to find its audience. MikeKPa.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-15729080919325975612018-04-02T13:26:58.573-07:002018-04-02T13:26:58.573-07:00HILL STREET BLUES was a little too intense for me ...HILL STREET BLUES was a little too intense for me when it debuted. I had to grow into it. I did enjoy NYPD BLUE, however. Although I must admit that I was initially drawn in by the promise of brief nudity. (Since cut out in syndication.) I have a personal story about MURDER ONE. I was an extra on that show. Here&#39;s the funny part. I was called for jury duty, but got out for a &quot;financial hardship.&quot; I said that since extra work was my primary source of income I had to be available for work. Ironically, my very next job was as a JUROR on MURDER ONE. I worked two days. I guess it was some sort of karmic payback. And even though I didn&#39;t serve on a REAL jury I count it, unofficially. I also met Bochco&#39;s then wife, Barbara Bosson. I can&#39;t remember if she was a regular cast member or doing a guest shot, but she was very nice. R.I.P. Steven. <br />M.B. Mike Bloodworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04755626259169126800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-87730575625990868262018-04-02T12:33:50.477-07:002018-04-02T12:33:50.477-07:00Oh, and story arcs. Story arcs over any number of...Oh, and story arcs. Story arcs over any number of episodes that the story arc needs. Story arcs intertwined with other story arcs.<br /><br />Genius.Dr Loserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12717234136006844887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64245242204359879972018-04-02T12:32:34.522-07:002018-04-02T12:32:34.522-07:00@Johnny Walker: Great quote. I&#39;ll bear in min...@Johnny Walker: Great quote. I&#39;ll bear in mind Mr Bochco&#39;s advice from now on.<br /><br />Ken: You missed out Joss Whedon, who also gave an effusive tribute.<br /><br />And finally: &quot;HEY! Let&#39;s be careful out there!&quot;Dr Loserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12717234136006844887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-90227614510238132262018-04-02T12:27:57.353-07:002018-04-02T12:27:57.353-07:00During some NBC program in early summer 1981, afte...During some NBC program in early summer 1981, after <i>Hill Street Blues</i>&#39; first half-season had ended, I heard the following voice-over during an ad break: &quot;<i>Hill Street Blues!</i> Renewed for fall!&quot; This was months before the series&#39; Emmy award nominations for that season were announced. I don&#39;t recall any other instance when a network essentially broadcast the message &quot;We know not too many of you are watching, but we&#39;ve really got something special here.&quot; And indeed they did.gottacooknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-10713666488809699942018-04-02T12:25:31.754-07:002018-04-02T12:25:31.754-07:00A creator of real originality. I can even forgive...A creator of real originality. I can even forgive him casting his wife Barbara Bosson as the first Mrs. Furillo.Buttermilk Skyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07430011403223875192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-26988744597516334572018-04-02T11:48:59.452-07:002018-04-02T11:48:59.452-07:00Re: Theme music. He apparently told Mike Post that...Re: Theme music. He apparently told Mike Post that the theme to LA Law had to build from the sound of a car trunk shutting. He was obviously very involved at every level, and it&#39;s nice to see that he wasn&#39;t afraid to take big chances and fall flat on his face (see Cop Rock).Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157630082355224244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-36371565068874529392018-04-02T11:15:38.775-07:002018-04-02T11:15:38.775-07:00Great shows, nice tribute, Ken.
Great shows, nice tribute, Ken.<br />Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00760229533287495672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-36469686073132311062018-04-02T11:14:36.100-07:002018-04-02T11:14:36.100-07:00I was looking at videos and noticed that there wer...I was looking at videos and noticed that there were certain people, including Michelle Greene, James McDaniel, Michael Warren, Barbara Bosson, and of course Dennis Franz who were cast in more than one of his shows. Roger Owen Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05298172138307632062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-35846211185290186652018-04-02T11:08:38.242-07:002018-04-02T11:08:38.242-07:00You’ve often talked about the importance of theme ...You’ve often talked about the importance of theme songs. I’d like to think that Bochco was the person who chose the Hill Street Blues theme, because it is perfect: it starts off slowly and quietly, then gradually builds into something stronger, then finishes cleanly. It seems to describe an emotional arc from sadness to acceptance to resolution, which of course is the journey that the characters went through regularly.<br /><br />https://youtu.be/PjVelAcJSY4<br />estivhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12736355730705116526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-9448152267243405112018-04-02T10:58:13.999-07:002018-04-02T10:58:13.999-07:00Was fortunate enough to see a preview of LA Law at...Was fortunate enough to see a preview of LA Law at the Paley Center for Media (called the Museum for Television and Radio at the time) hosted by Steve Bochco, wherein he spoke about the show and took questions after the screening. All were enthralled and I had the opportunity to say to him, &quot;Man, this is gonna fly. Its gonna go through the roof.&quot; Knowing the precariousness of the industry, he replied with a cautiously optimistic &quot;I hope so, we&#39;ll see.&quot; Glad it came to be as it was groundbreaking for its time.Pete Grossmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-67448872988343454052018-04-02T10:57:40.916-07:002018-04-02T10:57:40.916-07:00I agree that he was a giant. Every Thursday night...I agree that he was a giant. Every Thursday night, as soon as HSB finished, my cousin and I (who lived on opposite coasts for most of its run) were on the phone discussing the episode. It lost a little steam the last couple of years but was still one of the best series on the air - an unbeatable combination of writing, acting, and production talent. <br /><br />As Peter, above, said, Bochco was ahead of his time. I was a huge fan of his series &quot;Murder One&quot;, which eked out two seasons (the second only getting the go-ahead after he made major changes to the cast and format) but was a forerunner of huge hits like &quot;24&quot; in its first-season focus on one capital murder case from beginning to end. It also featured one of Stanley Tucci&#39;s finest tv performances.Tudor Queenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03544142728842449527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-33816519593698075102018-04-02T10:16:50.986-07:002018-04-02T10:16:50.986-07:00I remember how much they promoted his name with Mu...I remember how much they promoted his name with Murder One, asking people to tape ER to watch this.<br /><br />TNT essentially remade the show recently.MikeNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53689683958735075162018-04-02T09:37:29.014-07:002018-04-02T09:37:29.014-07:00I remember the first episode of Hill St. especiall...I remember the first episode of Hill St. especially the first scene like it was yesterday. At the end, which came too soon, I sat back and said to myself, &quot;Wow, what the hell was that?&quot; I was hooked. I haven&#39;t seen the series since it first ran, but I can still probably name all the major characters. Outstanding storytelling.<br />Eric Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10639837826294361383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-63264678134149413482018-04-02T09:36:33.212-07:002018-04-02T09:36:33.212-07:00So much great stuff. Daniel asked about stuff hold...So much great stuff. Daniel asked about stuff holding up--NYPD Blue seems to me to do so in reruns. But that may be because Bochco and Dennis Franz deserve this: in Andy Sipowicz, they may have created the greatest character in TV history, and certainly one of the funniest ones. Seriously. Franz is a brilliant comic actor. To anyone who loves NYPD Blue as I do, you will know why I say that from this line: &quot;Can you honestly tell me the difference between cow meat and man meat?&quot;Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01998867386294693956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-65676381028471559602018-04-02T09:28:07.817-07:002018-04-02T09:28:07.817-07:00I was 13 when I saw the Hill Street pilot. I was ...I was 13 when I saw the Hill Street pilot. I was blown away. I was always checking the ratings in the LA Times. WTF am I the only one watching this show. I was relieved when it finally grabbed hold. <br /><br />CHEERS with HILL STREET BLUES on Thursday nights was the best. Cowboy Surferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07703914886255967601noreply@blogger.com